Dems return convicted Internet CEO's contribution

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Democratic National Committee says it has returned $20,000 donated by a wealthy San Francisco Internet entrepreneur recently convicted of domestic violence.

DNC spokeswoman Rebecca Chalif said Friday the organization has returned Gurbaksh Chahal's 2014 contribution after discovering he pleaded guilty last week to misdemeanor domestic violence battery and battery charges. Chahal was sentenced to three years' probation and faces no jail time.

San Francisco prosecutors charged Chahal last year with 45 felonies for allegedly punching and kicking his girlfriend and attempting to smother her with a pillow at his home after learning she had gone on a trip with another man.

The alleged attack was caught on surveillance footage, but a judge ruled earlier this month that it had been unlawfully seized by police.

Chahal, who is the CEO of the online advertising company RadiumOne, appeared on "Oprah" in 2010, where was billed as one of the world's youngest and wealthiest entrepreneurs.